The Fate of the Missing Fox Boys

Readers of “Ephraim Fox, An Oregon Pioneer Story” are aware of the grim events involving two of Ephraim’s younger sons. Subsequent findings indicate at least two of three much older brothers were likewise connected to violent deaths. In part two of The Fate of the Missing Fox Brothers” the protagonist is the third of these errant siblings.

The fate of William Madison Fox remains uncertain following the 1870 census—which confirmed his residence with his father and stepmother in the Brownsville region of Linn County, Oregon. Nevertheless, a recently uncovered news article records William Fox, as well as James Keeney and Hugh Montgomery, providing testimony in a murder trial in Albany in 1878.

James Keeney was the son of Captain Jonathon Keeney, who commanded Ephraim Fox and his brothers during the Rogue River Indian War. Additionally, Hugh Montgomery’s nephew, Loyd Montgomery, was responsible twenty years later for the deaths of his parents and their neighbor, John McKercher. Both of these notable accounts are detailed in “Ephraim Fox, An Oregon Pioneer Story.”

As locals of Brownsville, William Madison Fox, 23 at the time, James Keeney and Hugh Montgomery were among a large witness pool for what occurred February 1, 1878. In the afternoon that day, a local young tough by the name of Marion Fields became intoxicated. Hugh Montgomery  told the court, “I live near Brownsville, knew M. Fields and saw him on the day he was killed; he came to me about 3 or 4 o’clock and wanted to borrow a pistol; I did not give it to him.”

Like William Fox, Fields was 23 years old; born and raised in the area. But Fields was a menacing young man and it was no problem gathering folks to testify to the fact. Several locals spoke to the court on the vicious nature of Marion Fields, generally regarded as dangerously ill-tempered. Among those who testified Fields was a bad character, was William Madison Fox.

It was James Keeney, however, who described Marion Fields the best. He testified he, “Knew Fields ever since he was a boy and knew Williams (the man who shot Fields) since ’53 or ’54. I have resided in Brownsville off and on since 1843; known Fields to be a rough, quarrelsome and abusive man; he has drawn weapons on parties several times. He drew a pistol on me once, and at another time on young Hawk [a son of Henry Hawk, also featured in “Ephraim Fox, An Oregon Pioneer Story”]. He also drew a knife on a man in my saloon, and at still another time drew a pistol on me and said he would clean out the goddamned place; he has boasted that if he could not get away with a man with his hand he would some other way.” Other folks testified Fields was known to carry a large Bowie knife.

After Fields left Hugh Montgomery’s place, he was seen near the Calapooia River and told people he was headed for a row that night. A couple hours later Fields burst into the pharmacy in Brownsville to obtain more liquor. He was refused the sale by pharmacist Charlie Williams. A verbal argument ensued and Fields threatened Williams and others in the store, jumping at them to intimidate and get a reaction.  Williams told Fields he could call him all the names he wanted, “but don’t you strike me.”

 There were several witnesses in the building as well as outside; people were coming and going. It was getting near to closing time and Charlie Williams was cleaning the stove lamps in the back room when the argument began. Dr. Stone was Williams’ business partner and testified to what happened. He could see there was going to be trouble when Fields came in the door and walked hurriedly to the prescription case saying, “Charlie, come here.”

Fields said, “I want some whiskey”.

Charlie asked him, “How much?” and he answered, “one quart”.

Charlie asked, “Who for?”

“None of your damn business,” Fields responded, “You damned son of a bitch.”

Dr. Stone went out the door for an armload of firewood and when he came back in the room Charlie was alone; Fields had left. In about five or ten minutes Fields returned and went into the back room where everyone had collected.

“Charlie you are mad at me, you Goddamned son of a bitch!” Fields declared.

“No,” Charlie answered, “I am not.”

“Yes you are, you lying son of a bitch.” Fields then abused the pharmacist fearfully, standing in his face telling him not to deny it or he would slap him. About 20 minutes went by with Fields pitching insults. Finally, Fields was standing about six or seven feet from Williams when Dr. Stone told his partner he didn’t think Fields really wanted liquor. This set Fields off for his final assault.

“Do you call me a liar?” Fields asked Stone, who stepped out of the room. Then he turned to Charlie again, “Do you?”

“No,” Charlie answered, but in that moment Fields was advancing and everything happened in an instant. “Marion, you had better go out! Go!” Charlie hollered. Marion Fields didn’t heed the warning and Charlie squeezed the trigger on a handgun which removed much of Fields’ jaw and head, killing him instantly. His body fell in a pile a foot from the door in a fetal position. The shot drew a crowd.

“Oh, Charlie, you killed him.” Stone said contritely, standing there with an armload of wood.

“Doctor, I had to kill him to save myself.” Charlie answered.

The jury was out for a half of an hour when they returned a “not guilty” verdict on charges against pharmacist Charles Williams. Bad boy Marion Fields was planted in the Brownsville Pioneer Cemetery.

Although the narrative only refers to William Madison Fox as witness, this reference is notable as it marks the last verifiable record of his existence. The eventual fate of both George and William Fox remains unknown; however, the ongoing mystery continues to attract interest and may yet be resolved in the future.